Laundry appliances reservation systems and methods

ABSTRACT

A pair of laundry appliances includes a washing machine appliance and a dryer appliance matched with the washing machine appliance. A method of operating the pair of laundry appliances includes receiving, from a user via a remote user interface device, an access request for the washing machine appliance and reserving the washing machine appliance and the dryer appliance for the user. The method also includes unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance via the remote user interface device and activating the reserved washing machine appliance after unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance. The method further includes unlocking the reserved dryer appliance via the remote user interface device and activating the reserved dryer appliance after unlocking the reserved dryer appliance.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to laundry appliances with features for reserving a first laundry appliance and a second laundry appliance which belongs to a same group or location as the first laundry appliance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Laundry appliances generally include washing machine appliances and dryer appliances. Such laundry appliances are typically paired, such that after washing a load of articles in the washing machine appliance of the pair, the load of articles may be easily transferred to the dryer appliance that is paired with the washing machine appliance.

Some laundry appliances, such as commercial laundry appliances, may be reserved by a user. However, laundry appliances may also be organized in groups larger than two, e.g., with multiple pairs of laundry appliances. For example, such larger groups may be found in a laundromat, dormitory, or apartment building, etc. In some instances, the same owner may have multiple pairs of laundry appliances in distinct locations, such as distinct locations of a chain of laundromats, different floors of an apartment complex, or different dormitories on the same campus.

Thus, if a user wishes to reserve a washing machine appliance and a dryer appliance, systems and methods for ensuring that the reserved laundry appliances are both part of the same group of appliances, e.g., are paired, would be beneficial.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of operating a group of laundry appliances is provided. The method includes receiving, from a user via a remote user interface device, an access request for a washing machine appliance from the group of laundry appliances. The method also includes identifying a dryer appliance from the group of laundry appliances. The method then includes reserving the requested washing machine appliance and the identified dryer appliance for the user. The method also includes unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance via the remote user interface device and activating the reserved washing machine appliance after unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance. The method further includes unlocking the reserved dryer appliance via the remote user interface device and activating the reserved dryer appliance after unlocking the reserved dryer appliance.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of operating a pair of laundry appliances is provided. The pair of laundry appliances includes a washing machine appliance and a dryer appliance matched with the washing machine appliance. The method includes receiving, from a user via a remote user interface device, an access request for the washing machine appliance. The method further includes reserving the washing machine appliance and the dryer appliance for the user. The method also includes unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance via the remote user interface device and activating the reserved washing machine appliance after unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance. The method further includes unlocking the reserved dryer appliance via the remote user interface device and activating the reserved dryer appliance after unlocking the reserved dryer appliance.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a front view of an exemplary washing machine appliance and an exemplary dryer appliance in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 provides a transverse cross-sectional view of the exemplary washing machine appliance of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of the exemplary dryer appliance of FIG. 1 with portions of a cabinet of the dryer appliance removed to reveal certain components of the dryer appliance.

FIG. 4 provides a schematic diagram of a laundry appliance in communication with a remote user interface device and a remote database according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 provides a schematic diagram of multiple groups of laundry appliances in communication with a remote database.

FIG. 6 provides a flowchart illustrating an example method of operating a group of laundry appliances according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 provides a flowchart illustrating another example method of operating a pair of laundry appliances according to one or more additional embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, terms of approximation, such as “generally,” or “about” include values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. When used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction. For example, “generally vertical” includes directions within ten degrees of vertical in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise.

As may be seen in FIGS. 1 through 3 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present subject matter, a group of at least two laundry appliances, e.g., a pair of laundry appliances is provided.

As may be seen generally throughout FIGS. 1 through 3 , a user interface panel 100 and a user input device 102 may be positioned on an exterior of each laundry appliance. The user input device 102 is generally positioned proximate to the user interface panel 100, and in some embodiments, the user input device 102 may be positioned on the user interface panel 100.

In various embodiments, the user interface panel 100 may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In some embodiments, the user interface panel 100 may include or be in operative communication with user input device 102, such as one or more of a variety of digital, analog, electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, control knobs, push buttons, and touch pads. The user interface panel 100 may include a display component 104, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. The display component 104 may also be a touchscreen capable of receiving a user input, such that the display component 104 may also be a user input device in addition to or instead of the user input device 102.

Generally, each appliance may include a controller 210 in operative communication with the user input device 102. The user interface panel 100 and the user input device 102 may be in communication with the controller 210 via, for example, one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. Input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between controller 210 and various operational components of the appliance. Operation of the appliance can be regulated by the controller 210 that is operatively coupled to the user interface panel 100. A user interface panel 100 may for example provide selections for user manipulation of the operation of an appliance, e.g., via user input device 102 and/or display 104. In response to user manipulation of the user interface panel 100 and/or user input device 102, the controller 210 may operate various components of the appliance. Controller 210 may include a memory and one or more microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of the appliance. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, a controller 210 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.

The controller 210 may be programmed to operate the appliance by executing instructions stored in memory. For example, the instructions may be software or any set of instructions that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations. Controller 210 can include one or more processor(s) and associated memory device(s) configured to perform a variety of computer-implemented functions and/or instructions (e.g. performing the methods, steps, calculations and the like and storing relevant data as disclosed herein). It should be noted that controllers 210 as disclosed herein are capable of and may be operable to perform any methods and associated method steps as disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , the group, e.g., pair, of laundry appliances may include a washing machine appliance 10 and a dryer appliance 11. In embodiments such as illustrated in FIG. 1 , the user input device 102 of each appliance 10 and 11 may be positioned on the user interface panel 100. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 also includes a display 104 on the user interface panel 100 of each household appliance 10 and 11.

As generally seen throughout FIGS. 1 through 3 , in at least some embodiments, each laundry appliance 10 and 11 includes a cabinet 12 which defines a vertical direction V and a lateral direction L that are mutually perpendicular. Each cabinet 12 extends between a top side 16 and a bottom side 14 along the vertical direction V. Each cabinet 12 also extends between a left side 18 and a right side 20, e.g., along the lateral direction L.

Additional exemplary details of the laundry appliances are illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 . For example, FIG. 2 provides a cross-sectional view of the exemplary washing machine appliance 10. As illustrated in FIG. 2 , a wash tub 124 is non-rotatably mounted within cabinet 12. As may be seen in FIG. 2 , the wash tub 124 defines a central axis 101. In the example embodiment illustrated by FIG. 2 , the central axis 101 may be oriented generally along or parallel to the transverse direction T of the washing machine appliance 10. Accordingly, the washing machine appliance 10 may be referred to as a horizontal axis washing machine.

Referring again to FIG. 2 , a wash basket 120 is rotatably mounted within the tub 124 such that the wash basket 120 is rotatable about an axis of rotation, which generally coincides with central axis 101 of the tub 124. A motor 122, e.g., such as a pancake motor, is in mechanical communication with wash basket 120 to selectively rotate wash basket 120 (e.g., during an agitation or a rinse cycle of washing machine appliance 10). Wash basket 120 defines a wash chamber 126 that is configured for receipt of articles for washing. The wash tub 124 holds wash and rinse fluids for agitation in wash basket 120 within wash tub 124. As used herein, “wash fluid” may refer to water, detergent, fabric softener, bleach, or any other suitable wash additive or combination thereof. The wash basket 120 and the tub 124 may collectively define at least a portion of a tub assembly for the washing machine appliance 10.

Wash basket 120 may define one or more agitator features that extend into wash chamber 126 to assist in agitation and cleaning of articles disposed within wash chamber 126 during operation of washing machine appliance 10. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2 , a plurality of ribs 128 extends from basket 120 into wash chamber 126. In this manner, for example, ribs 128 may lift articles disposed in wash basket 120 during rotation of wash basket 120.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1 and 2 , cabinet 12 also includes a front panel 130 which defines an opening 132 that permits user access to wash basket 120 within wash tub 124. More specifically, washing machine appliance 10 includes a door 134 that is positioned in front of opening 132 and is rotatably mounted to front panel 130. Door 134 is rotatable such that door 134 permits selective access to opening 132 by rotating between an open position (not shown) facilitating access to a wash tub 124 and a closed position (FIG. 1 ) prohibiting access to wash tub 124.

A window 136 in door 134 permits viewing of wash basket 120 when door 134 is in the closed position, e.g., during operation of washing machine appliance 10. Door 134 also includes a handle (not shown) that, e.g., a user may pull when opening and closing door 134. Further, although door 134 is illustrated as mounted to front panel 130, it should be appreciated that door 134 may be mounted to another side of cabinet 12 or any other suitable support according to alternative embodiments.

Referring again to FIG. 2 , wash basket 120 also defines a plurality of perforations 140 in order to facilitate fluid communication between an interior of basket 120 and wash tub 124. A sump 142 is defined by wash tub 124 at a bottom of wash tub 124 along the vertical direction V. Thus, sump 142 is configured for receipt of and generally collects wash fluid during operation of washing machine appliance 10. For example, during operation of washing machine appliance 10, wash fluid may be urged by gravity from basket 120 to sump 142 through plurality of perforations 140. A pump assembly 144 is located beneath tub 124 for gravity assisted flow when draining tub 124, e.g., via a drain 146. Pump assembly 144 may be configured for recirculating wash fluid within wash tub 124.

A spout 150 is configured for directing a flow of fluid into wash tub 124. For example, spout 150 may be in fluid communication with a water supply (not shown) in order to direct fluid (e.g., clean water) into wash tub 124. Spout 150 may also be in fluid communication with the sump 142. For example, pump assembly 144 may direct wash fluid disposed in sump 142 to spout 150 in order to circulate wash fluid in wash tub 124.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , a detergent drawer 152 is slidably mounted within front panel 130. Detergent drawer 152 receives a wash additive (e.g., detergent, fabric softener, bleach, or any other suitable liquid or powder) and directs the fluid additive to wash chamber 124 during operation of washing machine appliance 10. According to the illustrated embodiment, detergent drawer 152 may also be fluidly coupled to spout 150 to facilitate the complete and accurate dispensing of wash additive.

Additionally, a bulk reservoir 154 is disposed within cabinet 12. Bulk reservoir 154 is also configured for receipt of fluid additive for use during operation of washing machine appliance 10. Bulk reservoir 154 is sized such that a volume of fluid additive sufficient for a plurality or multitude of wash cycles of washing machine appliance 10 (e.g., five, ten, twenty, fifty, or any other suitable number of wash cycles) may fill bulk reservoir 154. Thus, for example, a user can fill bulk reservoir 154 with fluid additive and operate washing machine appliance 10 for a plurality of wash cycles without refilling bulk reservoir 154 with fluid additive. A reservoir pump 156 is configured for selective delivery of the fluid additive from bulk reservoir 154 to wash tub 124.

During operation of washing machine appliance 10, e.g., during a wash cycle of the washing machine appliance 10, a laundry items are loaded into wash basket 120 through opening 132, and washing operation is initiated through operator manipulation of input selectors 102. Wash tub 124 is filled with water, detergent, and/or other fluid additives, e.g., via spout 150 and/or detergent drawer 152. One or more valves (not shown) can be controlled by washing machine appliance 10 to provide for filling wash basket 120 to the appropriate level for the amount of articles being washed and/or rinsed. By way of example for a wash mode, once wash basket 120 is properly filled with fluid, the contents of wash basket 120 can be agitated (e.g., with ribs 128) for washing of laundry items in wash basket 120.

After the agitation phase of the wash cycle is completed, wash tub 124 can be drained. Laundry articles can then be rinsed by again adding fluid to wash tub 124, depending on the particulars of the cleaning cycle selected by a user. Ribs 128 may again provide agitation within wash basket 120. One or more spin cycles may also be used. In particular, a spin cycle may be applied after the wash cycle and/or after the rinse cycle in order to wring wash fluid from the articles being washed. During a spin cycle, basket 120 is rotated at relatively high speeds. After articles disposed in wash basket 120 are cleaned and/or washed, the user can remove the articles from wash basket 120, e.g., by opening door 134 and reaching into wash basket 120 through opening 132.

While described in the context of a specific embodiment of horizontal axis washing machine appliance 10, using the teachings disclosed herein it will be understood that horizontal axis washing machine appliance 10 is provided by way of example only. It should be appreciated that the present subject matter is not limited to any particular style, model, or configuration of washing machine appliance. Other washing machine appliances having different configurations, different appearances, and/or different features may also be utilized with the present subject matter as well, e.g., vertical axis washing machine appliances.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of the dryer appliance 11 of FIG. 1 , which is an example embodiment of a household appliance, with a portion of a cabinet or housing 12 of dryer appliance 11 removed in order to show certain components of dryer appliance 11. Dryer appliance 11 generally defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T, each of which is mutually perpendicular, such that an orthogonal coordinate system is defined. While described in the context of a specific embodiment of dryer appliance 11, using the teachings disclosed herein, it will be understood that dryer appliance 11 is provided by way of example only. Other dryer appliances having different appearances and different features may also be utilized with the present subject matter as well.

Cabinet 12 includes a front side 22 and a rear side 24 spaced apart from each other along the transverse direction T. Within cabinet 12, an interior volume 29 is defined. A drum or container 26 is mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis within the interior volume 29. Drum 26 defines a chamber 25 for receipt of articles of clothing for tumbling and/or drying. Drum 26 extends between a front portion 37 and a back portion 38. Drum 26 also includes a back or rear wall 34, e.g., at back portion 38 of drum 26. A supply duct 41 may be mounted to rear wall 34 and receives heated air that has been heated by a heating assembly or system 40.

As used herein, the terms “clothing” or “articles” includes but need not be limited to fabrics, textiles, garments, linens, papers, or other items from which the extraction of moisture is desirable. Furthermore, the term “load” or “laundry load” refers to the combination of clothing that may be washed together in a washing machine or dried together in a dryer appliance 11 (e.g., clothes dryer) and may include a mixture of different or similar articles of clothing of different or similar types and kinds of fabrics, textiles, garments and linens within a particular laundering process.

A motor 31 is provided in some embodiments to rotate drum 26 about the horizontal axis, e.g., via a pulley and a belt (not pictured). Drum 26 is generally cylindrical in shape, having an outer cylindrical wall 28 and a front flange or wall 30 that defines an opening 32 of drum 26, e.g., at front portion 37 of drum 26, for loading and unloading of articles into and out of chamber 25 of drum 26. A plurality of lifters or baffles 27 are provided within chamber 25 of drum 26 to lift articles therein and then allow such articles to tumble back to a bottom of drum 26 as drum 26 rotates. Baffles 27 may be mounted to drum 26 such that baffles 27 rotate with drum 26 during operation of dryer appliance 11.

The rear wall 34 of drum 26 may be rotatably supported within the cabinet 12 by a suitable fixed bearing. Rear wall 34 can be fixed or can be rotatable. Rear wall 34 may include, for instance, a plurality of holes that receive hot air that has been heated by heating system 40. The heating system 40 may include, e.g., a heat pump, an electric heating element, and/or a gas heating element (e.g., gas burner). Moisture laden, heated air is drawn from drum 26 by an air handler, such as blower fan 48, which generates a negative air pressure within drum 26. The moisture laden heated air passes through a duct 44 enclosing screen filter 46, which traps lint particles. As the air passes from blower fan 48, it enters a duct 50 and then is passed into heating system 40. In some embodiments, the dryer appliance 11 may be a conventional dryer appliance, e.g., the heating system 40 may be or include an electric heating element, e.g., a resistive heating element, or a gas-powered heating element, e.g., a gas burner. In other embodiments, the dryer appliance may be a condensation dryer, such as a heat pump dryer. In such embodiments, heating system 40 may be or include a heat pump including a sealed refrigerant circuit. Heated air (with a lower moisture content than was received from drum 26), exits heating system 40 and returns to drum 26 by duct 41. After the clothing articles have been dried, they are removed from the drum 26 via opening 32. A door (FIG. 1 ) provides for closing or accessing drum 26 through opening 32.

In some embodiments, one or more selector inputs 102, such as knobs, buttons, touchscreen interfaces, etc., may be provided or mounted on the cabinet 12 (e.g., on a backsplash 71) and are in operable communication (e.g., electrically coupled or coupled through a wireless network band) with the processing device or controller 210. Controller 210 may also be provided in operable communication with components of the dryer appliance 11 including motor 31, blower 48, or heating system 40. In turn, signals generated in controller 210 direct operation of motor 31, blower 48, or heating system 40 in response to the position of inputs 102. As used herein, “processing device” or “controller” may refer to one or more microprocessors, microcontroller, ASICS, or semiconductor devices and is not restricted necessarily to a single element. The controller 210 may be programmed to operate dryer appliance 11 by executing instructions stored in memory (e.g., non-transitory media). The controller 56 may include, or be associated with, one or more memory elements such as RAM, ROM, or electrically erasable, programmable read only memory (EEPROM). For example, the instructions may be software or any set of instructions that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations. It should be noted that controllers as disclosed herein are capable of and may be operable to perform any methods and associated method steps as disclosed herein. For example, in some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be embodied in programming instructions stored in the memory and executed by the controller 210.

Turning now to FIG. 4 , a general schematic of a laundry appliance 1002, which may be, e.g., the washing machine appliance 10 or the dryer appliance 11 described above (or both,) and communication features thereof. FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a laundry appliance 1002, which may be, for example, one of the laundry appliances 10 or 11 of FIGS. 1 through 3 , among other possible example laundry appliances, which communicates wirelessly with a remote user interface device 1000. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4 , the laundry appliance 1002 may include an antenna 90 by which the laundry appliance 1002 communicates with, e.g., sends and receives signals to and from, the remote user interface device 1000. The laundry appliance 1002 may communicate with the remote user interface device 1000 over a direct wireless communication link or over an indirect wireless communication link, such as via a remote server, a network, or cloud 1100. The remote user interface device 1000 may be a laptop computer, smartphone, tablet, personal computer, wearable device, smart home system, and/or various other suitable devices.

The laundry appliance 1002 may be in communication with the remote user interface device 1000 device through various possible communication connections and interfaces. The laundry appliance 1002 and the remote user interface device 1000 may be matched in wireless communication, e.g., connected to the same wireless network. The laundry appliance 1002 may communicate with the remote user interface device 1000 via short-range radio such as BLUETOOTH® or any other suitable wireless network having a layer protocol architecture. As used herein, “short-range” may include ranges less than about ten meters and up to about one hundred meters. For example, the wireless network may be adapted for short-wavelength ultra-high frequency (UHF) communications in a band between 2.4 GHz and 2.485 GHz (e.g., according to the IEEE 802.15.1 standard). In particular, BLUETOOTH® Low Energy, e.g., BLUETOOTH® Version 4.0 or higher, may advantageously provide short-range wireless communication between the appliance 10 and the remote user interface device 1000. For example, BLUETOOTH® Low Energy may advantageously minimize the power consumed by the exemplary methods and devices described herein due to the low power networking protocol of BLUETOOTH® Low Energy.

The remote user interface device 1000 is “remote” at least in that it is spaced apart from and not physically connected to the laundry appliance 1002, e.g., the remote user interface device 1000 is a separate, stand-alone device from the laundry appliance 1002 which communicates with the laundry appliance 1002 wirelessly. Any suitable device separate from the laundry appliance 1002 that is configured to provide and/or receive communications, information, data, or commands from a user may serve as the remote user interface device 1000, such as a smartphone (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 4 ), smart watch, personal computer, smart home system, or other similar device. For example, the remote user interface device 1000 may be a smartphone operable to store and run applications, also known as “apps,” and some or all of the method steps disclosed herein may be performed by a smartphone app.

The remote user interface device 1000 may include a memory for storing and retrieving programming instructions. Thus, the remote user interface device 1000 may provide a remote user interface which may be an additional user interface to the user interface panel 100. For example, the remote user interface device 1000 may be a smartphone operable to store and run applications, also known as “apps,” and the remote user interface may be provided as a smartphone app.

As mentioned above, the laundry appliance 1002 may also be configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote database 1100. The remote database 1100 may be, e.g., a cloud-based data storage system. For example, the laundry appliance 1002 may communicate with the remote database 1100 over the Internet, which the laundry appliance 1002 may access via WI-FI®, such as from a WI-FI® access point in a user's home.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a first group 214 of laundry appliances 1002 and a second group 212 of laundry appliances 1002, where each appliance 1002 of each group 214 and 212 is in communication with a remote database 1100, as described above. The exemplary groups 212 and 214 of FIG. 5 are mutually exclusive, e.g., each laundry appliance 1002 belongs to only one of the groups. Each group of laundry appliances 1002 may include one pair of laundry appliances (e.g., a washing machine appliance and a dryer appliance) or multiple pairs of laundry appliances. In various embodiments, the groups 212 and 214 may be defined based on any suitable unifying characteristic, such as a common location, e.g., on a same floor of an apartment building, etc. In some embodiments, the groups 212 and 214 may be defined by an owner of the laundry appliances 1002. Further, the exemplary two groups are illustrated in FIG. 5 by way of example only. Methods and systems according to the present disclosure may also include more than two groups, and the groups may include any number of pairs of laundry appliances 1002.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 , embodiments of the present disclosure also include methods of operating a group of laundry appliances, e.g., laundry appliances 10 and 11 described above, among other possible exemplary laundry appliances. Exemplary methods according to the present subject matter include the method 400 illustrated in FIG. 6 . As illustrated in FIG. 6 , the method 400 may include a step 410 of receiving an access request for a washing machine appliance from the group of laundry appliances, e.g., the washing machine appliance is one of the laundry appliances in the group. The request may be received from a user and may be received via a remote user interface device, such as the remote user interface device 1000 described above.

Method 400 may further include a step 420 of identifying a dryer appliance from the group of laundry appliances. Thus, the identified dryer appliance belongs to the same group of laundry appliances that the requested washing machine appliance belongs to, e.g., the dryer appliance may be located in the same location as the requested washing machine appliance, etc. For example, the group of laundry appliances may include laundry appliances in a common location. The group of laundry appliances may be custom-defined, e.g., the group of laundry appliances may be a predefined group created by an owner of the laundry appliances.

In some embodiments, the group of laundry appliances may include a first set of laundry appliances and a second set of laundry appliances. In such embodiments, the requested washing machine appliance may be a member of one of the first set and the second set, and the identified dryer appliance is a member of the same one of the first set and the second set as the requested washing machine appliance. For example, the laundry appliances of the first set of laundry appliances may be located in a first common location and the laundry appliances of the second set of laundry appliances may be located in a second common location different from the first common location. Each set and group may be custom-defined, e.g., in some embodiments, the first set of laundry appliances may be a first predefined set created by an owner of the laundry appliances, and the second set of laundry appliances may be a second predefined set created by the owner of the laundry appliances.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 , method 400 may further include a step 430 of reserving the requested washing machine appliance and the identified dryer appliance for the user. Thus, the user may be assured of having a dryer appliance available, e.g., in the same location as the requested washing machine appliance or otherwise belonging to a same group as the requested washing machine appliance, when the washing machine appliance is finished washing a load of articles therein.

In some embodiments, method 400 may include unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance via the remote user interface device, as illustrated at 440 in FIG. 6 . In some embodiments, the remote user interface device and the washing machine appliance may both be in communication with a remote database, as mentioned above, and the unlocking step may include receiving identifying information of the washing machine appliance with the remote user interface device, transmitting the identifying information to the remote database from the remote user interface device, and unlocking the washing machine appliance by the remote database after receiving the identifying information of the washing machine appliance. For example, identifying information of the washing machine appliance may be encoded in a bar code, such as a QR code. As a further example, the identifying information may include a serial number of the washing machine appliance, e.g., which may be recognized in a captured image of the washing machine appliance by the remote user interface device. Thus, unlocking the washing machine appliance may include scanning a code on the washing machine appliance or taking a picture of the washing machine appliance, such as a picture of a nameplate on the washing machine appliance.

Method 400 may further include activating the reserved washing machine appliance after unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance, e.g., as illustrated at 450 in FIG. 6 . For example, activating the reserved washing machine appliance may include performing a cycle of the washing machine appliance, such as the exemplary operation described above, e.g., loading laundry items into wash basket 120 through opening 132, etc.

In some embodiments, method 400 may also include sending, from the reserved washing machine appliance to the remote user interface device, a notification after performing the cycle of the washing machine appliance. The user may thereby be informed that the load of articles in the washing machine appliance are ready to go in the dryer, and the user may thus be notified to unlock the dryer.

Still with reference to FIG. 6 , method 400 may further include a step 460 of unlocking the reserved dryer appliance. The reserved dryer appliance may also be unlocked via the remote user interface device, as described above with respect to the washing machine unlocking at step 440, e.g., by scanning or otherwise capturing identifying information of the dryer appliance with the remote user interface device, transmitting that identifying information to the remote database, and unlocking the dryer appliance in response to receiving the identifying information. Method 400 may then include a step 470 of activating the reserved dryer appliance after unlocking the reserved dryer appliance, e.g., performing a dry cycle, including rotating the drum 26, activating the heating system 40, etc., as is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Turning now to FIG. 7 , another exemplary method 500 of operating a pair of laundry appliances is illustrated therein. The pair of laundry appliances may include a washing machine appliance and a dryer appliance matched with the washing machine appliance. The method 500 may include a step 510 of receiving an access request for the washing machine appliance. The request may be received from a user and may be received via a remote user interface device, such as the remote user interface device 1000 described above.

Method 500 may further include a step 520 of reserving the washing machine appliance and the dryer appliance for the user. After reserving the pair of laundry appliances, the washing machine may be manually unlocked, e.g., by the user via the remote user interface device, as described above with respect to FIG. 6 . Thus, method 500 may include a step 530 of unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance via the remote user interface device.

After unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance at step 530, method 500 may then include a step 540 of activating the reserved washing machine appliance. In some embodiments, activating the reserved washing machine appliance may include performing a cycle of the washing machine appliance. In such embodiments, method 500 may further include sending a notification after performing the cycle of the washing machine appliance, e.g., the notification may be sent from the reserved washing machine appliance to the remote user interface device when the washing machine cycle is completed.

As illustrated in FIG. 7 , method 500 may also include a step 550 of unlocking the reserved dryer appliance via the remote user interface device, followed by a step 560 of activating the reserved dryer appliance after unlocking the reserved dryer appliance. Steps 550 and 560 are generally similar to the various unlocking and activating steps described above.

The pair of laundry appliances may be a predefined pair created by an owner of the laundry appliances. The pair of laundry appliances may be matched on one or more of several various bases, such as based on a common location of the washing machine appliance and the dryer appliance.

Exemplary methods of the present disclosure may also include steps to ensure the user selects the intended laundry appliances. For example, methods according to the present disclosure may also include restricting access to other laundry appliances which are not members of the pair or group of laundry appliances. For instance, the pair of laundry appliances may be a first pair of laundry appliances, and exemplary methods of operating a group or pair of laundry appliances may further include restricting access to a second pair of laundry appliances after receiving the access request for the washing machine appliance of the first pair of laundry appliances. In some exemplary embodiments, the first pair of laundry appliances may be located in a first common location and the second pair of laundry appliances may be located in a second common location different from the first common location. In additional exemplary embodiments, the pairs of laundry appliances may be custom-defined pairs, such as the first pair of laundry appliances may be a first predefined pair created by an owner, and the second pair of laundry appliances may be a second predefined pair created by the owner.

In various embodiments, the group or pair of laundry appliances may be a localized group or pair. For example, the group or pair may be defined by a location on a map, and the available laundry appliances may be indicated or displayed on such map, e.g., which may be displayed on a display screen of the remote user interface device. Also by way of example, the group or pair may be defined based on named locations, such as a location in a building, e.g., Floor Ten, or a name or address of a building, such as an address of a particular laundromat location which includes both available laundry appliances. To provide availability of the dryer appliance when the washing machine appliance cycle is complete, both laundry appliances may be reserved at the same time.

It should be understood that the foregoing method steps, e.g., of method 400 and/or method 500, may be performed by the remote user interface device, such as in an app running on, e.g., a smartphone or tablet. For example, the app may be used to start one or both of the laundry appliances, such as after or during the unlocking step(s).

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a group of laundry appliances, the method comprising: receiving, from a user via a remote user interface device, an access request for a washing machine appliance from the group of laundry appliances; identifying a dryer appliance from the group of laundry appliances; reserving the requested washing machine appliance and the identified dryer appliance for the user; unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance via the remote user interface device; activating the reserved washing machine appliance after unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance; unlocking the reserved dryer appliance via the remote user interface device; and activating the reserved dryer appliance after unlocking the reserved dryer appliance.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the group of laundry appliances comprises laundry appliances in a common location.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the group of laundry appliances is a predefined group created by an owner of the group of laundry appliances.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein activating the reserved washing machine appliance comprises performing a cycle of the washing machine appliance, further comprising sending, from the reserved washing machine appliance to the remote user interface device, a notification after performing the cycle of the washing machine appliance.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the group of laundry appliances comprises a first set of laundry appliances and a second set of laundry appliances, wherein the requested washing machine appliance is a member of one of the first set and the second set, and wherein the identified dryer appliance is a member of the same one of the first set and the second set as the requested washing machine appliance.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the laundry appliances of the first set of laundry appliances are located in a first common location and the laundry appliances of the second set of laundry appliances are located in a second common location different from the first common location.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the first set of laundry appliances is a first predefined set created by an owner, and wherein the second set of laundry appliances is a second predefined set created by the owner.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance comprises scanning a bar code on the reserved washing machine appliance with the remote user interface device.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance comprises capturing an image of the reserved washing machine appliance with the remote user interface device.
 10. A method of operating a pair of laundry appliances, the pair of laundry appliances comprising a washing machine appliance and a dryer appliance matched with the washing machine appliance, the method comprising: receiving, from a user via a remote user interface device, an access request for the washing machine appliance; reserving the washing machine appliance and the dryer appliance for the user; unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance via the remote user interface device; activating the reserved washing machine appliance after unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance; unlocking the reserved dryer appliance via the remote user interface device; and activating the reserved dryer appliance after unlocking the reserved dryer appliance.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein activating the reserved washing machine appliance comprises performing a cycle of the washing machine appliance, further comprising sending, from the reserved washing machine appliance to the remote user interface device, a notification after performing the cycle of the washing machine appliance.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the pair of laundry appliances are matched based on a common location of the washing machine appliance and the dryer appliance.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the pair of laundry appliances is a predefined pair created by an owner of the laundry appliances.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the pair of laundry appliances is a first pair of laundry appliances, further comprising restricting access to a second pair of laundry appliances after receiving the access request for the washing machine appliance of the first pair of laundry appliances.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first pair of laundry appliances is located in a first common location and the second pair of laundry appliances is located in a second common location different from the first common location.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the first pair of laundry appliances is a first predefined pair created by an owner, and wherein the second pair of laundry appliances is a second predefined pair created by the owner.
 17. The method of claim 10, wherein unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance comprises scanning a bar code on the reserved washing machine appliance with the remote user interface device.
 18. The method of claim 10, wherein unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance comprises capturing an image of the reserved washing machine appliance with the remote user interface device. 